In the syllabus I have given a comprehensive list of all the readings relevant to the topics we will be discussing.

You should read the relevant parts from the Osborne text before each class. I have identified these parts in the syllabus. The order of the syllabus does not follow the order of the Osborne text. I appreciate that this may be frustrating to those used to the order of the Code Civile! Common law is much more chaotic and no two textbooks treat the subject in quite the same order. I chose to assign the Osborne text because it is very clear and should give you a good basic understanding of the common law of torts.

In the Linden, Klar and Feldthusen text, you will find excerpts from many of the cases listed in the syllabus. Some extracts are long, some are short. Sometimes the cases identified in the syllabus are briefly summarized in a “Notes” section. I chose to assign the Linden, Klar and Feldthusen text because it gathers together the main cases and will save you the trouble of looking them up in the library or online. You should read the extracts from the cases listed in the syllabus, preferably before each class, certainly after each class and especially if you are unclear about what a particular case means. You may wish to read the whole of a “Notes” section if you are interested in a particular topic, but you are not obliged to do so. Concentrate on the cases listed in the syllabus. If you are unsure about the location of a case, look it up in the index. Some of the cases and statutory provisions listed are not in the books. You need not worry about reading these cases in advance of class, but you may need to read them after class if you are unclear about something. If they are unavailable and you have difficulty finding them in the library or online, please let me know and I will make electronic versions available on Studium.

Standards & Evaluation

Your final grade depends upon performance in 2 components of the course : an assignment to be completed after reading week (30%) and a final examination held in December (70%).